ISLAMKOT: Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif and former President Asif Ali Zardari inaugurated the 660 MW Thar coal power project here on Friday, ARY News reports.
While speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Nawaz Sharif expressed his happiness of being invited to the region. He claimed that he readily accepted the project when Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah informed him of the formation of the project.
He stated that former President and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader Asif Ali Zardari accepted the mandate of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N). He added that PML-N had accepted the mandate of PPP when it won the general elections in 2008.
Nawaz Sharif said that the political leadership of Pakistan is on the same page and added that the new trends of politics should be set for the sake of Pakistan's development. He added that political of confrontation should be finished.
Prime Minister said that the federal government has its eyes set on development of the country and will not play politics on any issue of the country.
Speaking on the benefits of the power plant, Nawaz Sharif said that Thar's coal will be utilized for the projects in Gadani and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) will be imported from next year. He stated that industrial areas should be set in Thar for its progress.
"Sindh's development is Pakistan's development", Sharif said.
He promised that the gas shortage will come to an end in next 18 months due to import of LNG.
Former President Asif Ali Zardari, on the occasion, said that no single political party can take mega projects single handedly. He added that the power plant project was initiated by Benazir Bhutto but could not be finished.
"Political leadership of Pakistan is mature now", added Zardari.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah stated that the project will be highly beneficial for Pakistan. "It is a joint project of the federal and provincial governments", he added.
